Wireless receiver mounting system for video cameras

ABSTRACT

A bracket system used for mounting wireless microphone receivers and other accessories to a video camera. This bracket system is comprised of three main parts. The first part comprises a platform with a mounting screw which attaches to the bottom of the video camera; a threaded mounting hole to allow mounting to a tripod; and a combination of a pin and a resilient pad to help secure the video camera from twisting. The second part comprises a vertical section with a system of mounting holes for attaching wireless microphone receivers, camera accessories, adapter boxes, and adapter plates. The third part is a combination of one or more adapter boxes and plates. The adapter box is open on the top and partially open on the bottom, with a system of mounting holes to attach it, and an additional adapter box or adapter plate, to the vertical section. The adapter box has a horizontal tab at the bottom and a spring and spring clip system inside the box to secure a wireless microphone receiver. The adapter plate is a vertical plate with a horizontal tab at the bottom. The adapter plate has system of mounting holes for attaching it to the vertical section of the bracket system or to an adapter box. A resilient pad is attached to the adapter plate and a hook and loop strap system holds a wireless microphone receiver firmly against the resilient pad, securing it in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is claiming the benefit of previously filedprovisional patent application #60/437,681 which is for the currentinvention and has a filing date of Jan. 3, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of Invention

This invention relates to video cameras; specifically to a bracketsystem for mounting wireless microphone receivers and other accessoriesto a video camera.

b. Prior Art

In the field of video production, a camera operator often operates avideo camera while it is mounted to an adjustable camera tripod. Thisallows the operator to pan the camera from side to side and tilt thecamera up and down in a smooth and steady fashion. A camera operatorwill sometimes carry the camera by hand or on their shoulder, allowingthem to move about freely. It is common to attach accessories such aslights, microphones, and wireless microphone receivers to the videocamera, allowing the camera operator to quickly switch back and forthbetween “tripod mounted” and “hand held” use. Recently, professionalquality video cameras have become very small in size, leaving little orno room on the camera for mounting accessories. This presented a problemfor the camera operators who now had to mount wireless microphonereceivers on their waist or on the camera tripod. Mounting the receiveron their waist often caused poor reception as the antennae are oftenblocked from the transmitted signal. The operator would also beconnected to the camera with a tangle of wires making it difficult stepaway from the camera while it is mounted on the tripod. In the casewhere the wireless microphone receiver is mounted on the tripod, thecamera operator is unable to detach the camera from the tripod and moveabout freely during hand held operation.

Some related, yet vastly different inventions include the following:

The wireless microphone receiver holder in patent 389,154 attaches overthe battery of a full size video camera and is limited to use with fullsize video cameras. It is not able to fit on the smaller camerabatteries found on modern smaller video cameras.

The video camera bracket in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,999 is suitable formounting some accessories, but does not include any apparatus todirectly mount wireless microphone receivers. When U.S. Pat. No.6,601,999 refers to a “tripod”, it is referring to the three legs of thecamera bracket. The video camera bracket in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,999interferes with the use of a camera tripod, which is a standardaccessory for a video camera, thus defeating the purpose of mountingaccessories on the camera bracket. The inventer of this inventionprobably didn't think of a suitable system for mounting wirelessmicrophone receivers during tripod use because the invention's mainpurpose is to provide additional handles for holding the video camera byhand.

The support for video camera in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,756 has a bar whichmay be suitable for mounting some accessories, but due to it's limitedmounting system and interference with tripod use, is unsuitable formounting wireless microphone receivers. The inventer of this inventionprobably didn't think of a suitable system for mounting wirelessmicrophone receivers during tripod use because the invention's mainpurpose is to provide a shoulder mount for holding a video camera byhand.

The harness in U.S. Pat. No. 338,999 is a carrying case designed fortransportation of video equipment and is not related to mountingwireless microphone receivers on a video camera.

The hand held video camera support in U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,109 isdesigned for video camera use without a tripod and does not provide ameans of attaching accessories such as wireless microphone receivers.

The video camera accessory apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,520 isdesigned to attach a TV tuner unit to the camera and does not provide ameans of attaching accessories such as wireless microphone receivers.

The accessory shoe adapter in U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,683 is designed tomount to a video camera's battery connector. It can attach to a limitedvariety of video cameras and can attach a limited number of accessoriessuch as a light. This shoe adapter does not include a mounting systemfor wireless microphone receivers and may cause damage to the batteryconnection system of the camera if the weight of mounted accessories isexcessive.

The video camera carrying handle in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,147 is designedto provide a handle to carry the video camera while allowing a batteryand light to be attached but does not provide a means of attachingaccessories such as wireless microphone receivers.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention include thefollowing:

My invention mounts the wireless receivers to the video camera, allowingthe camera operator to easily mount and leave the camera on a tripod orquickly remove the tripod and move about freely for hand held operationof the camera.

My invention mounts the wireless microphone receivers on the right sideof the video camera, in front of the camera's tripod mounting holes insuch a position as not to impede use of the video camera or wirelessreceivers.

My invention includes a versatile wireless microphone receiver mountingsystem, designed to accept most available wireless microphone receiverswhich were designed for use on a video camera.

My invention includes a recessed camera mounting screw as part of it'svideo camera mounting system, allowing for full functionality of it'stripod mounting system, also included on my invention.

My invention is light in weight as not to burden the camera operatorduring hand held use of the camera.

In addition to wireless microphone receivers, my invention can be usedto attach a variety of other accessories.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent froma consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a suitable means formounting wireless microphone receivers to a small video camera in such away that allows full use and function of the video camera, cameracontrols, and wireless microphone receiver, while also allowing thecamera operator to easily switch between hand held camera operation andtripod mounted operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use with a videocamera and two wireless microphone receivers.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention

FIG. 3-A is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention shown in an exploded view.

FIG. 3-B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventionshown in an exploded view.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, partial view in detail of the preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial sectional view in detail of the preferredembodiment of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10—video camera-   12—wireless microphone receiver-   14—mounting bracket-   16—second embodiment of mounting bracket-   18—adapter box-   19—second embodiment of adapter box-   20—adapter plate-   21—second embodiment of adapter plate-   22—alignment plate-   23—screw-   24—flat head screw-   25—mounting holes-   26—mounting slots-   27—resilient non-skid pad-   28—retainer clip-   29—foot-   30—tripod mounting hole-   32—tripod alignment hole-   34—threaded hole-   36—hollow pockets-   38—alignment pin-   40—recessed screw pocket-   42—camera mounting screw-   44—spring clip-   46—PEM threaded insert-   48—access hole-   50—rivet-   52—spring-   54—tab-   56—auxiliary mounting holes-   59—strap slot-   62—resilient rubber pad-   64—hook and loop strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a bracket system for attaching wirelessmicrophone receivers and other accessories to a video camera. FIG. 1shows a perspective view of the invention attached to a video camera 10and two wireless microphone receivers 12 a and 12 b. From the videocamera operator's point of view, the invention mounts wirelessmicrophone receivers 12 a and 12 b high on the right side of the videocamera, towards the front. This position allows for full functionalityof the video camera and wireless receivers, without obstructing any ofthe controls.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the bracket system which is comprisedof a platform section, where the video camera is mounted; a verticalsection where the wireless microphone receivers and other accessoriesare mounted; and a plurality of adapter box 18 and adapter plate 20,which can be used to aid in mounting wireless microphone receivers andother accessories to the vertical wall section.

FIG. 3A shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodimentof the invention. The horizontal platform section of the invention iscomprised of alignment plate 22 which is attached to mounting bracket 14with flat head screw 24 into threaded hole 34. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, mounting bracket 14 is stamped from asheet, approximately 0.1 inches thick, of lightweight metal such asaluminum; alignment plate 22 is machined from a bar of lightweight metalsuch as aluminum. Camera mounting screw 42 passes through both alignmentplate 22 and mounting bracket 14, and screws into the existing mountingholes on the bottom of a video camera. Retainer clip 28 is attached tocamera mounting screw 42, holding it in place when the invention is notin use. Alignment pin 38 is pressed into alignment plate 22 and passesthrough mounting bracket 14 into an alignment hole in the bottom of avideo camera, keeping the the invention from rotating while attached tothe camera. Resilient non-skid pad 27 consists of a thin sheet ofresilient material such as rubber, with an adhesive backing holding itin place on mounting bracket 14. Resilient non-skid pad 27 helps producea snug fit between the camera and the invention, preventing vibration ortwisting. Foot 29 is an injection molded rubber grommet which keeps thecamera and bracket system level when set on a flat surface.

FIG. 4 shows a close up perspective view of alignment plate 22. Recessedscrew pocket 40 is on the underside of alignment plate 22, and allowscamera mounting screw 42 to be recessed within alignment plate 22,sitting flush with the bottom of alignment plate 22. Tripod mountinghole 30 and tripod alignment hole 32 pass completely through alignmentplate 22. Tripod mounting hole 30 is threaded with a stainless steelinsert for durability. Tripod mounting hole 30 and tripod alignment hole32 are similar to the mounting holes found of the bottom of a videocamera, allowing accessories such as a tripod, to be mounted to theinvention while installed on the camera. In order to shift the weight ofthe camera back for better balance while mounted on a tripod, tripodmounting hole 30 and tripod alignment hole 32 are placed in front ofcamera mounting screw 42 and alignment pin 38. FIG. 4 also shows hollowpockets 36 which function to lighten the weight of alignment plate 22.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the invention's vertical section has a pattern ofmounting holes 25 and mounting slots 26 a and 26 b, which conform to thebolt patterns of many wireless microphone receiver mounts. Adapter box18 and adapter plate 20 connect to mounting bracket 14 with a set ofscrews 23, through the mounting holes 25 and mounting slot 26 a. Adapterbox 18 or adapter plate 20 can be attached directly to mounting bracket14, either individually, or in any combination of two. Adapter box 18and adapter plate 20 are used to mount wireless microphone receiverswhich were not equipped with suitable mounting hardware to connectdirectly to mounting bracket 14.

FIG. 5 shows a close up, perspective, sectional view of adapter box 18and adapter plate 20. The preferred embodiment of adapter box 18includes a box, open at the top and bottom, stamped and bent fromlightweight sheet of metal such as aluminum. Tab 54 a prevents awireless microphone receiver from slipping through the box. Rivets 50attach spring clip 44 and spring 52 to the inside of adapter box 18.Spring clip 44 and spring 52 compress to hold a variety of differentsize wireless microphone receivers firmly against the opposite walls ofadapter box 18. These opposite walls are covered with an adhesive backedfabric or felt, to protect the wireless microphone receiver from beingscratched. Ridges at the top of spring clip 44 prevent the wirelessmicrophone receiver from coming out the top of the box unless the springtension is released by pushing back the top of spring clip 44. Adapterbox 18 has a system of mounting holes on 2 opposite sides. In thepreferred embodiment, four PEM threaded inserts 46 a are stainless steelthreaded inserts. Access holes 48 provide access to the interior ofadapter box 18 in order to attach another adapter box 18 or an adapterplate 20.

The preferred embodiment of adapter plate 20 includes a flat, verticalsection formed from a sheet of metal such as aluminum, with tab 54 b atthe bottom. Two resilient rubber pads 62 are attached to adapter plate20 and provide a surface which conforms to the shape of the wirelessmicrophone receiver, helping to keep it in place. Hook and loop strap 64is threaded through strap slots 59 and holds the wireless microphonereceiver securely against the resilient rubber pads 62. Four PEMthreaded inserts 46 b are used to mount adapter plate 20 to the bracketsystem. Two auxiliary mounting holes 56 allow two mounting plates 20 tobe attached back to back on either side of mounting bracket 14.

FIG. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of theinvention. A second embodiment of mounting bracket 16, adapter box 19,or adapter plate 21 could be formed by die casting or injection moldusing a lightweight material such as aluminum, plastic, or a compositematerial. In addition, a second embodiment of adapter box 19 could befabricated from an extruded piece of aluminum.

Thus the reader will see that my invention provides a lightweight,sturdy, universal mounting system for wireless microphone receivers andaccessories which can be easily used by any video camera operator.

While the above description contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, butrather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Manyother variations and uses are possible. For example, my invention can beused to hold a number of different accessories such as microphones andlights, with or without additional adapter bracket. My invention couldbe used as a handle for holding the camera.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by theembodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

1. A bracket system for mounting wireless microphone receivers and otheraccessories to a video camera or camcorder wherein said bracket systemcomprises: a vertical portion attached to a platform portion; saidplatform portion containing means for attaching said video camera; saidplatform portion also containing a means of attaching a camera tripodwhile said video camera is attached; said vertical portion containingmeans for attaching said wireless microphone receivers and accessories;said vertical portion containing a set of mounting holes as a means forattaching adapters to aid in the mounting of additional accessories;said vertical portion also containing a removable adapter, used forattaching said wireless microphone receivers and accessories; saidremovable adapter comprises: a wall section providing enough area tomount said wireless microphone receiver and accessories; said wallsystem has a series of slots, through which a hook and loop strap systemis threaded and looped back upon itself; said wall section is at leastpartially covered with a thick, form fitting, resilient pad, locatedsuch that said hook and loop strap system holds said wireless microphonereceiver against said resilient pad, securing said wireless microphonereceiver in place; said hook and loop strap system can be pulled tightthrough a leveraged pulley system, tightening around said wirelessmicrophone receiver and accessories, forcing them into said resilientpad, creating an indentation and securing said wireless microphonereceiver and accessories in place; said wall section includes a tab atit's base to additionally secure accessories; whereby a person caneasily operate said video camera and said wireless microphone receivers,with or without a camera tripod attached.
 2. The bracket system of claim1, wherein said means for attaching said video camera includes amounting screw protruding upward through said platform portion, able toattach to existing tripod mounting holes on the underside of said videocamera; said mounting screw is held in place with a curved retainingring, preventing it from separation from said platform when said bracketsystem is removed from said video camera.
 3. A removable adapter box formounting wireless microphone receivers and other accessories to a videocamera, camcorder, or bracket system wherein said adapter comprises: ameans for attaching said adapter box to said bracket system; a means forattaching additional adapter brackets or a second adapter box to saidadapter box; a back section, two side sections, a front section, open onthe top, and partially open on the bottom; a means for securing saidwireless microphone receiver within said back section, said sidesections, and said front section; said means for securing said wirelessmicrophone receiver comprises a spring system, attached such thatpressure is applied to said wireless microphone receiver, forcing saidwireless microphone receiver against said back section, said sidesection, or said front section; said spring system includes at least onespring clip either mounted to the box or mounted as part of the box; thetop of said spring clip may be angled or ridged in shape such that oncesaid wireless microphone receiver is mounted, said angled or ridgedshape would secure said wireless microphone receiver in place.